People ask, "if you fell for two people at the same time, who would you choose?"
But, falling in love with two people, is it really possible?
Yes, it is. For starters, it means you're human. The feeling, in and of itself, isn't bad or dangerous — but the actions you take can be. I only know that love starts as a feeling, but at some point, it turns into a decision.
Then, if you ask me the question, "who should I choose?" I will answer, "I will choose the latter." Why? Because to me, you don't really love the first one if you also love another one.
At least that's what I used to believe.
***
Petrified, I couldn't move. A giant bear-like monster stared at me from above with his glaring, red eyes.
As he lifted up his claw... I knew it was my end.
"Ahhh..." Catapulting my upper body, I found myself in a bed. "That dream again."
What does it even mean?
Turning to my left, I saw Emily in the other bed, still sleeping.
In front of me, rays coming from the sun hit the floor; it was already morning. I then went to the veranda looking at the bright sky.
"I couldn't do anything..."
I need to get stronger.
"I need to learn more magic. I need to train more."
An hour later, Emily woke up. "H-Hiiro," she squinted her eyes examining me from the window. "Why are you outside?"
"Nothing, I'm just thinking... Good morning."
"G-good morning," she greeted back.
Suddenly, we heard someone knocking at the door. "Y-you may enter," Emily spoke.
It was one of the guards. "My apologies for waking you up, Master Hiiro, Lady Emily."
The guard told us that Dullahan has organized a party as a commemoration of our acceptance in the castle; it was scheduled this coming lunch. He then gave Emily a gift and told us to prepare for the upcoming feast.
"We have prepared a dress for you, Lady Emily," the guard addressed. "The King requested that you should wear it for the party. There are also clothes for Master Hiiro."
"T-thank you," Emily replied looking at the clothes. She seemed to be very interested in it.
"If you don't have any question I'll excuse myself now," the guard said before he left.
After that, I went outside, so that Emily could change.
Moments later...
"H-Hiiro, I'm done changing."
When I opened the door, time froze as a beautiful princess stood bashfully in front of me. Her long, blue dress gracefully complemented her short, red hair. Staring at the masterpiece in front of me, it was the first time I saw someone this pretty. Her allure blocked all the voice that would come out from my mouth; I was speechless.
"Hiiro, please d-don't stare that much." Emily blushed covering her body with her hands.
"I-I'm sorry..." I apologized, switching my gaze off her. "Emily, you're so beautiful in that outfit."
"R-really?" She looked down and covered her face with her fringed.
"Yes, yes you are."
Afterward, we both went to the Great Hall after I changed clothes.
***
In the forefront of the Great Hall, King Arthur was having a speech, welcoming us as the new members of the castle. Emily and I were seated at the front facing King Arthur with a vacant seat beside me. Of course, it was for Aria. Satrillo said she would catch up later from the recovery room.
After King Arthur's talk, the Great Hall was filled with waves of laughter and merrymaking coming from every direction. One by one, each of them walked towards me and Emily, offered a handshake and congratulated us on our victory. The fanfare grew louder as King Arthur announced the arrival of the food, which signaled the feast. Different demons happily chatting with each other, some dancing with the music produced with musical instruments were present in the hall.
The melody turned serene; I looked at Emily who seemed to be deep in her thoughts. Placing myself in front of her, I bowed down like a knight.
"Would you like to dance, Milady?"
She then held her hands and placed it on her chest. "Hiiro? But, I... I don't know how to dance," she replied softly.
"Shall I teach you then?"
She hesitated for a bit, then agreed, "Y-yes." She slowly grabbed my hands, and we walked towards the middle.
"Just follow my lead," I told her.
"O-okay," she responded.
Holding her left hand with my right hand, I placed the other around her waist. We danced through the melody of the song. Each of our steps swayed with the notes with Emily carefully following everything I said to her.
"You're doing well."
"T-thank you," she replied.
However, when I gazed at her face again, I became captivated by the beauty of the girl I was dancing with. A face of Haruka slowly fading as we swayed on the dance floor gradually changing to the blushing face of Emily.
A strange warmth erupted from deep within me as we moved around. However, it was not bad; it was a pleasant feeling slowly engulfing my body.
What... is this?
Everything around me blurred, my senses concentrated on one spot; time stopped. Something paranormal, rather, something magical happened, but I knew that it was not caused by curse nor magic. It was different from the time I was seduced by a succubus. Her rosy lips that could heal someone if she smiled. Her bright twinkling eyes that could give anyone who looked directly peace. Her soft but soothing voice that gave off a refreshing feeling. Everything was real.
Seconds passed, I felt my heartbeat increasing, even if my heart was no longer there. Slowly, I raised my hands and attempted to touch her face. But, I was interrupted by the sudden stop of the music.
"Hi...iro?" she asked, looking at me.
"I-I'm sorry."
The song was finished. Everybody stopped dancing. We then walked towards the tables.
"I'm sorry, Emily. I'm not feeling well right now."
"Hiiro, are you okay?" she asked.
"Yes, I think I need to go to back to our room and rest."
"I'll go with you," she hurriedly replied.
"It's okay, you should wait for Aria."
"O-okay," she agreed.
After that, I asked for permission from King Arthur. I left for my room, and the party continued.
***
---Emily---
"Hiiro..."
Moments after Hiiro left, I was sitting beside a table when Aria arrived.
"Emily?" she asked, her eyes tight and worried. "Where is Hiiro?"
"He... He's resting in our room." Looking down, I couldn't' look at her.
"What's wrong? Are you okay? Did something happened?"
Aria and I had a conversation. I told her everything that happened; from the dress scene in the room unto the moment, Hiiro almost touched my face while we were dancing.
"Aria, what should I do?" I asked, blushing. "I can't help but be happy every time I see him. But, every time he comes close, I always feel overly conscious of myself. I... I don't know what to do. I want to see him, talk to him. But at the same time; I want to hide, I want to go away. Aria... please, help me."
"It's love~♥" Lucie entered the conversation. We then switch our gaze at her.
"Love?" I asked.
"Yes," Lucie replied. "It seems you're in love with the boy~"
"Emily, is this true?" Aria asked, quickly turning her eyes to me.
"I... I don't know."
I'm... in love with Hiiro? I don't know. I want to know. What is love? What does it mean by falling in love with someone?
"Well, that's just me saying my thoughts," Lucie spoke. "I could be wrong though. I know you're confused right now, but you're the only one who can answer that question."
"Me?"
"However..." Lucie paused. "Never mind that part. Anyway, I advise you to properly sort out your feelings or both you and Hiiro will get hurt."
"Thank you... Lucie."
***
---Hiiro---
Time passed, I was lying on the bed, staring deeply at the ceiling.
After I stood, I went out of the room. There, I saw Satrillo walking.
"Satrillo?"
"Hiiro? Why are you here?" he asked while walking towards me. "The party is not yet finished."
But, I couldn't answer. I just looked down.
"Are you okay?" he asked putting his hand on my shoulder.
"I'm fine." I looked at him. "Sorry Satrillo, it's just that... there's a lot of things going on right now."
"I can listen if you want," he replied. "Maybe I can help you." He smiled.
"It's okay. It seems you're busy at the moment."
"It's okay. I'm actually done patrolling the area," he replied. "I also want to help you for being always there for Emily ojou-sama."
We then went inside the room, sat on the bed and had a discussion.
"Suppose... there was a boy who was depressed by the loss of the girl he loves to the point that he would do anything just to see her again. Then, suddenly, he met a girl who looks exactly like her, but different, became friends until he noticed his feelings suddenly changing. How... How can you tell if the feelings are real or not?"
"Real?" he asked. "What do you mean?"
"It's because... the boy doesn't know if he really loves her or he just wants to love her because of his feelings from the previous girl."
There was a bit of silence.
"Well, Hiiro," Satrillo spoke. "The boy is the only one who can answer that since he's the only one who can feel those emotions."
"His emotions?"
"Yes. To me, it seems the boy is unsure if he still has some lingering emotions on the previous girl." Satrillo added. "Since, he wouldn't have problems like these if he does."
My emotions.
"Well, Hiiro, here is my advice for the boy," Satrillo said. "Properly sort out their feelings so the two of them will never get hurt someday."
"Satrillo... Thank you."
"You're welcome. It's the least I can do for you," he replied while patting my shoulder. "But, is that the only thing you want to ask?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well, to me, it seems that's not the only thing in your mind," he answered.
Satrillo, your perception is really good.
"Don't be shy. You can tell it to me. Maybe I can also help," he added.
After that, I told him about how I was so powerless in the trial and how I want to be stronger.
"Hiiro, you don't need to think too much about that. Lucie is a very powerful succubus herself," Satrillo spoke. "Normally, a mage with a few months of experience is not enough to beat her. It's actually impressive that you can even damage her."
"I... I already know that. It's just that, I can't shake off this feeling. I want to become stronger."
It's like if I don't become stronger, I might lose someone important to me again.
"Hmm... Hiiro, I don't know if you know this but I can somehow feel a strong sealing magic in you. Although it's very strong, I can somehow sense the sealing magic breaking."
"Sealing magic? What do you mean?"
"It's like your mana capacity is being limited by something. I don't know the reason why, but I think what mana you have right now is just a small percentage of what you really should have," he replied. "Hiiro, can you remember anything related to this manner?"
"I... don't. This is the first time I heard this."
"I see," he replied. "Anyway, let's put that aside for now. I think I can help you become stronger."
He then told me that the time it takes for me to cast my magic was too slow. Usually, a mage would use a magic tool to reduce that, and since I wasn't using anything, he suggested that by having one, it could greatly help me both in practice and an actual fight.
"But Satrillo-san, I don't have a magic tool."
"Well, I did say I can help you," he replied. "Follow me."
Satrillo took me to an underground passage. The way looked very similar to a pathway to a dungeon.
"Satrillo-san, where are you taking me?"
Silence filled the area as we walked down. "Just follow me," he replied. Chills touched my bones; I could feel the cold air coming from my feet. Mice were running on the floor, and a bunch of cobwebs litter the floor and ceiling.
"Satrillo, can I ask you another question? Why are you addressing Emily as ojou-sama?"
"Hmmm... You see, Hiiro, 'ojou-sama' is a language from my country, where I was born. It's a formal word which means young lady."
Yes, I also know its meaning, since I was born from Japan. But why does he know that language? Do all people from the country of elves use Japanese too?
"Actually my last name is not really Stradivarius," Satrillo added. "Marina-sama was the one who gave me that name. My last name is actually Hayashi."
What?
After long walks, we arrived in front of a wooden door. He opened it, and a large room appeared in front of my eyes. It was filled with weaponry: swords, wands, bows...
"This room is an underground storage for weapons used in the last war," Satrillo spoke. "There were actually a lot of mages who fought back then so this place is filled with magic tools. We might find you something useful here."
"This is amazing."
Mesmerized by what I saw, I looked around and examined each of the racks.
"There's so many of them."
However, I paused when I saw a drawing of a familiar object fixed onto the wall.
"No, this can't be possible," I whispered.
"Did the portrait caught your attention?" Satrillo spoke. "This was one of those weird weapons the humans used in the war 70 years ago. If I remember correctly they called this a 'tank'."
No, this is not just an ordinary tank.
Back in my world, I played a lot of tank battle simulation, and there was this one tank which I loved the most.
"E 50 Ausf. M..."
It was a German tank designed in World War II.